Magnetic recording and reproducing



March 17, 1953 o. KoRNEl 2,631,855

MAGNETIC RECORDING AND REPRODUCING Filed sept. 27, 1947 5 sneetsheet 1 T0 AMPUFIER IBO-6 O. KORNE\ March 17, 1953 o. KoRNr-:l 2,631,855

MAGNETIC RECORDING AND REPRODUCING Filed sept. 27, 1947 5 sheets-sheet 2 RE WIND FORWARD SELECT RECORD STO P INVENTOR.

O.KORNE\ A T TOR/VE Y O. KORNEI MAGNETIC RECORDING AND REPRODUCING March 17, 1953,

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 27, 1947 ER m M V0 0 MK r o. O\ m Y B w f O O O M o o: fw n Po a 4. r..

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 MAGNETIC RECORDING AND REPRODUCING Otto Kornei, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assigner to The Brush Development Co., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 27, 1947, Serial No. 776,523

2 Claims.

This invention relates to magnetic transducing and more specically to magnetic transducing arrangements utilizing record members which can be used for automatically producing quences and separately storing these lengths on diierent reels, it becomes necessary to provide an arrangement whereby a multiplicity of se quences are consecutively recorded on a single any desired operating steps. 5 record track. When it is desired to play back Among the objects of the invention are novel one of these sequences the record track must magnetic record tracks to selected portions of rst be reeled to the position occupied by the which are detachably adhered signal elements desired recording. If the desired recording is that can be used for automatically controlling not the first sequence recorded at the beginning transducing operations. or outer end of the reel, the proper position can- Another object of the invention is novel magnot, in general, be determined Without setting netic transducer arrangement having automatic the apparatus for playback and listening to the operating features controlled by the signal elerecordings until the correct one is identified. ments of the above record track. Furthermore, home type as well as commercial The foregoing and other objects of the invenrecordings usually have varying durations so tion Will be best understood from the following that a single thirty minute record track may, for description of exemplications thereof, referexample, have a sequence of several five minute ence being had to the accompanying drawings, recordings together with other recordings varywherein: ing in length from one to ten or more minutes.

Fig. 1 shows in simpliiied schematic form the 20 This makes it impossible to select the desired general arrangements and features ci a magnetic record transducing system of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a novel magnetic record track embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of a portion of a modiiied record track of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic View similar to iFig. l of the essential elements of a simplified magnetic record transducer embodying the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a combined magnetic record trans- L ducer and nlm projector according to a further phase of the invention.

Magnetic recorders and reproducers are, in general provided with record tracks of fixed lengths and diiilculties are experienced in usng such apparatus with recording sequences having diierent lengths. At the present time, home type magnetic recorders are made With record tracks long enough to hold and play back thirty minutes or more of recording. These record tracks are Wound on a reel in coil form and are operated by anchoring the outer end of the coil to another empty reel on which it is Wound, thereby unwinding from the storage reel. The reeling is so arranged as to bring the moving' record track into magnetic linkage with a transducing head.

Many forms of home entertainment numbers are short selections of about five minutes duration, such as popular songs, speeches, etc. An attempt to record and play back such short sequences poses several problems. if recordings are to be made Without severing the record track into lengths required for the individual serecording even though its numerical position on the reel is known Without listening to the playback as described above.

According to the invention, a magnetic record transducer is arranged so that individual recording sequences on a continuous elongated record track are spaced and marked by detachable adherent signal elements, and the signal elements are arranged to automatically control record track impelling operations to quickly bring any desired sequence in position for transducing without any attention on the part of the operator.

Fig. l schematically shows in simplified form one embodiment of a magnetic record transducer exemplifying the invention. A pair of record track holders h2o, lC?! in the form of reels are shown as rotatably mounted on a shaft 23, 2id which may be impelled by the motors 2l, 2B. An elongated permanent magnetizable record track "di is shown as having one end held on reel 2G which may be used as a supply reel for record track storage, the other end of the record track being anchored to the hub 29 of reel 2i. The length of record track 3i between the reels 29, 2i is threaded over a control and guide member 33, a magnetic erasing head #35, a magnetic transducing head 3i? and a capstan roller 39 so that as the record track is unvvound from supply reel 2t and Wound onto take-up reel 2| the capstan roller 3s may be employed to impart a constant linear speed to the threaded portion of the record track While the magnetic heads '315, `3"! perform the necessary transducing operations. The specic transducing arrangements of the magnetic heads 35, 31 as Well as the transduoing amplifier and switching arrangements form no part of the present invention and any suitable construction may be utilized, such as described, for example, in the copending Dank application, Serial No. 690,878, led August 16, 1946, now Patent No. 2,535,486, issued December 26. 1950.

The record track 3| may be in the form of a tape comprising a stratum of dispersed nnely divided permanently magnetizable powder particles, such as is disclosed in the prior Kornei applications, Serial Nos. 685,092 and 685,093, filed July 2|), 1946, both now abandoned.

The magnetic heads 35, 31 contain magnetic cores 4|, 43 and interlinked windings i5 and d1, respectively connected to an erasing means and the transducing amplifier as shown. A pair of pads 49 held on pad arms 5| may be provided to press the record track against the magnetic heads 45, 41 and thereby establish uniform magnetic linkage for proper transducing. The pads it may be of felt or similar material, the pad arms 5| being shown as pivoted and biased to retracted position as by springs 53. Operating linkage 55 is connected to each of the pad arms 5| for moving them into their pressing position under the influence of a control assembly 69.

The capstan roller 39 is shown as rotatably held on the capstan shaft 51 and fricti-onally engageable with a heavy flywheel 59 by sliding movement longitudinally to capstan shaft 51. A friction clutch disc @3 may be inserted between the capstan roller 39 and the ywheel 59 for providing suitable engaging and disengaging operations, The lower portion of capstan roller 39 may be extended radially to provide a flange 65 covering the friction disc t3 preventing the entrance of dust or other foreign particles which would interfere with proper clutching operation. In the form shown, the capstan shaft 51 is longitudinally slidable under the control of a cam 61 which may merely be a rotatablyT mounted shaft having a flat 69. The crank arin 1|, such as a transversely bent portion of the shaft, is connected by link 13 with the switch control assembly 59 for biasing the cam t1 to the low position in which the flat 59 permits the capstan roller 39 and capstan shaft 51 to be lowered into frictional engagement with the flywheel 59. The capstan may be impelled by a third motor 29 driving a roller 15 which frictionally engages the outer rim of the flywheel. Switch control assemhly 59, as shown, comprises a three button push button assembly of the conventional type in which any push button 11, 1S, 19 operates a push rod 8 l, 82, 83 which may be inwardly actuated to hold itself latched in inwardly operated position. Upon inward actuation of any button into its operated position, such as shown for button 11, the other buttons are automatically unlatched and retracted to their outward inoperative position in which button 19 is shown under the iniiuence of retracting springs 85. Each of the push rods 3|, 82, 83 has mounted thereon a limit stop t9 and a latch cam S1 which coacts with a transversely slidable latch plate 9| cut away as indicated at 93 to permit penetration of the push rods. The latch plate 9! is biased as by spring 95 to urge wall portions 91 bordering the cut-outs 93 towards the corresponding cams 81. Inward operation of any of the buttons causes its associated push rod cam lobe 81 to slide the latch plate 9| sideways against the action of its bias 95. As the cam lobe passes through the cut-out 93 it releases the latch plate 9| which is immediately slid back to its latching position, shown, in which it holds the inwardly operated push rod latched and prevents its withdrawal. Two push rods may be simultaneously actuated into inwardly operated position if care is taken to assure that the rods intended to be latched inwardly are inwardly actuated at the same time. Any lack of synchronization will cause the later operated push rod to hold the latching plate 9| away from its latching position, thereby permitting retraction of the earlier operated push rod by its retracting bias 35.

The push buttons 11, 18, 19 are labelled, respectively, Start, Stop and Record The Start push button 'i1 when inwardly operated acts to pivot crank lever 99 in counterclockwise direction simultaneously closing the contacts of switch I 0| energizing the circuit for capstan motor 29. Such pivoting of the crank lever 99 pulls the pads i9 into pressing engagement with the magnetic heads 35, 31. A transducing cperation is accordingly started, additional switch means being provided to control the operati-on of the transducing amplifier as is well known in the art.

Take-up motor 28 is shown as operated in parallel with the capstan motor 29 through another pair of contacts of switch lui so that as the capstan feeds and impeis the record track at the desired constant speed the reel 2| takes up any slack in the record track and keeps it in rm frictional engagement with the capstan roller. The surface of the capstan roller may be a friction layer such as a molded coating containing embedded friction particles, cork, for example. The take-up motor acts to directly take up the slack through the relatively long radius of the reel hub while the capstan motor impels the tape through the step-down pulley linkage and the relatively short radius of the capstan roller so that the capstan motor actuation is the principal force determining the record track speed even though both motors 2 8, 29 are of the same power output. The take-up motor is accordingly held down in speed by the capstan drive, the take-up motor being designed to allow for the resulting overheating.

Electric power for operation of the transducer is supplied through the connecting plug |03 which may be inserted in the conventional electric supply outlet fed by the standard A. C. power lines. On-Off switch it is provided to control the power supply and to energize A. C. bus line |01, as well as D. C. bus line |99, energized through the rectifier l The reel motors 21, 2B are connected for actuation by the A. C. bus line |01 through a high speed reeling control switch M3, having a blade |55 movable to engage either of a pair of contacts H1, ||9 to close an impelling circuit to take-up reel motor 23 or supply reel motor 21, respectively.

The direction and actuation or the high speed reeling is controlled by a polarized relay l2! operated by a manually adjustable automatic control assembly indicated generally at |31).

The automatic assembly includes a counting unit having a rotatably mounted shaft |32 on which is held a pair of counting ratchet gears i3d, |36, an indicator |33, and a notched retaining cam |139. One of the counting gears |34 is shown as arranged for clockwise rotation lby a forward counting solenoid M2, the other counting gear |36 being correspondingly arranged for counterclockwise rotation by a rewinding counting solenoid |44. The solenoids |42, |534 include windings |63, |45 connected in parallel with the take-up and supply reel motors 28, 2l, respectively. Inserted in the actuating circuit of the solenoid windings 153, |45 are a pair of counting contacts |46 on the control and guide member 33. The contacts i 46 provide a gap in the counting solenoid operating circuits which is closed by the passage of a signal element on the record track 31 to send an actuating pulse through either of the solenoid windings |43, |45.

The counting solenoids |42, |44 also include armatures |43, |59 biased to the downward position in which they are shown and having their upper end shaped to provide pawls |52, |54 for cooperating with the counting ratchet gears |34, 136, in the inactivated position shown. The pawls |52, |513 are both held away from the counting ratchet gears |34, |36 so as to permit the rotation of shaft |32 in either direction. When a counting pulse is passed through one of the counting sclenoids, such as the forward counting solenoid |42, the take-up reel motor 2S being energized and the record track being reeled in a forward direction, armature |48 is actuated to the extended position shown by the dotted lines at |56 during this outward travel of the armature, the pawl |52 does not engage the teeth of ratchet gear |34 but merely slides over them so that the ratchet and the shaft |32 is not rotated. As the signal element on the record track leaves the contacts 145, the counting impulse is terminated, the windings of the solenoids are deactivated and the raised armature |48 is retracted by its bias. In the retraction, pawl |52 engages a tooth ratchet gear 134 and rotates the gear and shaft through one advancing step. The two counting gears are arranged to be ron tated in opposite directions by the counting solenoids and because or" their independent connection in parallel to the separate reel driving motors 27, 2S, the counting mechanism of the indicator unit |38 is advanced one step in the forward or clockwise direction each time a signal element of the record track passes the contacts |46 while the record track is reeled in the forward direction onto take-up reel 2| as impelled by take-up motor 2B. record track is being rewound onto supply reel 2|) by operation of the take-up motor 2, the passage of a signal element to close the circuit between contacts |46, the counting mechanism is moved one step in the reverse or counter-clockwise direction.

The notched cam-shaped roller |63 cooperates .with a centrally urged stop tooth itil which catches in the notches between adjacenty lobes of the roller and retains the counting mechanism in fixed position against any accidental or inadvertent turning forces. However, the retaining forces applying to the notched roller |49 are arranged to be easily overcome by the retracting movement of either of the counting armatures |48, l.

The indicator plate |38 may be loosely held on the counting shaft |32 and provided with pins |62, |54 through which it is rotated by a small crank it, arranged to rotate with the shaft |32. rlhe pins |62, |36 are spaced by an amount sufiicient to permit free movement of the crank arm 16|` by one counting step so thaty a reversal of the counting operations permits the rst counting impulse of the reversed signals to rotate the Correspondingly, when the counting shaft |32 one step without moving the indicator plate.

As shown, the indicator plate may have a contact arm |68 moving across a row of contacts Ht-i, |68-2, iBS-3, 16S-ll, |6B-5, |684 and S68-il. A printed row of indicating symbols may also be provided to be viewed through a window and present a number or other indication of the particular part of the counting sequence in which the mechanism |30 is set.

The contact arm |68 of the indicator plate is shown as arranged to cooperate with the row of contacts 168-1, |68-2, etc., as a potentiometer network by connecting the adjacent contacts with resistors |74 in the form of a chain |15 and providing another similar potentiometer chain |86 connected in parallel with the indicator chain and provided with a series of contacts 18d-I, 18u-2, N30-3, |8-4, mil-5, lilswept by a dial arm |82.

The indicator plate arm |53 shown as connected to the dial arm |82 through lead contacts |84, |ii5 to form a bridge in which the circuit from one arm 1&2 to the other |84 is completed through the polarized solenoid 12|, as well as the unpolarized solenoid |22. The potentiometer bridge is shown as energized from the D. C. bus |22, the circuits being completed by the ground connections shown.

ri'he armature at unpolarized solenoid |22 may be connected by link |24 with the control link i3 so that it is biased toward the left-hand position in which it is shown, and when activated by current through its windings, the link |24 is pulled to the right-hand side causing operation ci' the capstan control 6'! to disengage a capstan roller 39 from the flywheel 59, at the same time retracting the latch plate 9| of the push button assembly 11 to return the push button controls to inoperative position.

At the same time as the unpolarized solenoid |22 is operated, the series connected polarized solenoid 12| is also operated, but the direction of movement of the polarized armature depends upon the direction of current through the windings or" the polarized solenoid 2| With the current iiowing in one direction, the polarized armature moves in a direction to carry the switch blade l |5 to establish a circuit with one of its opposed contacts, and with reversed current closes a circuit with the other.

As can be seen from the above, a record track 3| such as that shown in Fig. 2 holding a plurality of signal elements 32, spacing a series of individual recordings in the zones indicated at 3|-1, 3|-2, '3i-3, 314|, 3|-5, 3|-6 will be automatically operative for bringing a selected recording into position for transducing without any attention on the part of the operator.

In one form of the invention, where the record rack 3| is in the form of an electrically nonconductive tape, as disclosed in the above mentioned Kornei application, the signal elements 32 may be electrically conductive members, such as short lengths of metal foil adherently united in the manner indicated. The Imetal foil signal elements may have a laminated structure in which a brous or paper sheet has a surface xedly united to the foil and is coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive on its other surface so that it may be readily applied to the tape 3| where desired. The adhesive may be of the type that can be releasably adhered to the tape 3| so that the signal elements may be readily removed and relocated.

As shown in Fig. 2, the signal elements may be distributed along the tape 3l with the rst signal element spacing a `short distance from its outer end to leave a leader strip sl-ll ywhich can be used for anchoring the record track on the takeup reel without removing the signal element from the threading path. The last signal element may also be correspondingly spaced from the end of the record track to leave a similar leader strip Sl-l. The leader strips 2li-i3 and Sl-ilil have the additional function of permitting the reeling of the record track to continue for a short time after the last signal element that moves across the counting contacts, such as the contacts M16. This feature enables a transducing operation, for example, to be automatically followed by a rewinding operation without a complete une reeling and disengagement of the record track from the supply reel so that no additional anchoring operation need be performed.

Another operational feature of the leader strip Slf-, Sl--siil is that high speed reeling operations can be more rapidly terminated. by the braking action of the various elements of the transducer on the record track still remaining threaded along the path shown in Fig. l after the high speed impelling has been terminated. in the form shown in Fig. l, for example, the last signal element moves past the counting contacts S in a rewinding operation impelled by supply reel motor 2l, with the apparatus set for automatically stopping and the capstan roller itil disengaged from the capstan iiywheel te, a count-- ing impulse is arranged to bring the indicator plate arm 53 to the position where the potenn tiometer bridges are balanced, soienoids 525, it?. are deactivated permitting the engaging bias 5 to return the capstan roller into engagement with flywheel and thereby apply a substantial amount of frictional drag to the leader portion of the record track as it moves in the threaded path in contact with the roller ln this way, the high speed rotation oi take-up reel can be appreciably slowed before the rewinding record track is completely removed from the talreup reel 2i and there is less tendency for the outer end of the record track to whip around the rapidly spinning reel and tear by engagee ment with nearby surfaces.

The apparatus shown in Fig. l is arranged for use with a unitary record track having six in' dividual recordings, the counting gears 531i, ltd each having seven teeth, the holding roller and the indicating plate having seven positions. The six contacts Hi8-l, itil-2, iSd-3, letali, ltd-, 56343 of the counting mechanism connected in chain form, as shown, are fed in parallel with a similar set of six contacts engaged by the control dial arm 82. For operation, a supply reel containing the record track shown in Fig. 2, for example, is mounted in place and the leader portion of the record track threaded through the transducing path shown and anchored to the take-up reel 2i.

The control dial may then be set into any i the positions shown, such as position itil-3. The switch m5 which may be coupled for actua tion and closing whenever control dial arm i532 is removed from an on? position indicated at its, thereby establishes the power supply. The bridge formed by the resistor chains itil and llt is in unbalanced position permitting D. C. to flow from the indicator Contact arm its through contact lead its, unpolarized solenoid ist, polarized so lenoid li'l, contact leadv itt, and control dial Unpolarized solenoid l22 is actuated pulling link i265 and operating the capstan oon trol for disengaging the capstan roller 39 from the iiywheel 59. Polarized solenoid l2! is sin1ul-1 taneously actuated pulling removable contact lill of switch H3 to the left-hand or forward reeling position in which it engages fixed con tact lll and it establishes a feed circuit for impolling the take-up motor 23. The actuation of the solenoids also pulls the latch plate il! of the push button assembly Se to released position permitting all the control buttons Tl, '58, lil to return to the outward non-operative position so that both circuits of switch lli stay open and the pressing pads t9, il@ are retained in the retracted position shown.

In this condition, operation of take-up motor 28 winds the record track upon the take-up reel 2| at a fairly high speed, the drag of the pressing pads and the capstan iiywheel being absent, The high speed reeling continues rewinding the leader strip il-o from the supply reel followed by the iirst signal element 32. In passing the control guide the iirst signal element generates a counting impulse which is fed to the forward counting solenoid tilt and causes its operation to advance the counting mechanism by one forward step. The counting shaft l32 is thereby rotated in clockwise direction, bringing the counting cranl arm litt away from rearward drive pin and in Contact with forward drive pin E52, indicator dial remaining in position one, as shown, indicating by the characters on the dial l@ that the apparatus is reeling the record raclr through the first recording in the portion There being no change in the bridge network, the reeling continues. As the second signal element 32 is unwound and brought across the control guide s3, a second counting impulse operates a second forward counting step and the shaft i552 is thereby advanced carrying the indicator plate 38 one step in the clockwise direction. This brings the indicator plate contact arm Hi8 to the second position in which it engages contact lB-Z. The potentiometer bridges are still unbalanced so that solenoids lill, 22 continue to be activated and the reeling proceeds without stopping. The indicator now shows that the second recording 3i-2 is now being reeled. Passage of the three signal element produces a third counting impulse advancing the indicator arm i553 to the third position itil-3 which now balances the bridges and deactivates the solenoids itl, E22. Switch i E3 is accordingly moved to the open position shown terminating the power feed to take-up 28, and the link ld is released permitting the control bias to return the capstan into engaged position, thereby causing the stationary iiywheel de to apply a braking force to the rotating roller 39.

A similar reeling operation is effected when the control dial arm 82 is set to a position in advance of that indicated by the indicator plate arrn` ld. In this case, however, the polarized solenoid l2! moves the switch arm H5 in the opposite direction to engage its Contact H9 and energize the supply reel motor 2l. A relatively low friction rewinding operation is thus performed at a high speed until the indicator arin 63 is stepped back far enough to balance the bridge. When rewindinEr after a forward reeling operation, the rst rewind counting step merely moves the counting crank its back from iorward drive contact with pin 162 to rearward drive contact with pin |65. The second and succeeding rewind counting impulses step the indicator arm |68 back.

Playback of the recording on section 3|-3 of the record track can now be effected by merely moving the Start push button 'll to the inwardly operated position shown in which it latches itself, closes the contacts of switch Ii, and rotates the pressing pad actuating lever 99. The record track is held in stable magnetic linkage with the magnetic cores 4i, 43 and the contacts of switch i! energize the take-up reel motor 2S together with the capstan motor 29. Inasinuch as the capstan is retained in engaged position, the solenoid |22 being inoperative, the playback operation proceeds in conventional manner.

If a recording operation is to be performed instead of a playback, both the Start and Record push buttons are simultaneously moved to their inward positions. rlhe same reeling action is eiected by such control operation, but the record push rod 89 may be provided with additional switches which it operates when inwardly actuated to change the transducing action from playback to recording.

Once started, any transducing action will continue itself automatically until a signal element 32 passes the control guide 33. Such a signal terminals the transducing by advancing the indicator plate arm |68 to the next step and unbalancing the bridge arrangement. solenoids |2|, i22 become energized as in the rewinding operation described above until the record track is brought to the desired position after two rewind counting impulses. The first rewind counting impulse is caused by the passage of the same signal element 32 which indicates the termination of the transducing and the associated backward step of the counting mechanism merely moves the counting crank H56 without shifting the counting arm |68. The second counting impulse indicates that the beginning of the desired recording has been rewound and it is again ready for transducing. This time the indicator arm i653 is stepped backward to balance the bridge and high speed reeling is terminated.

It will be seen from the above that the apparatus of the invention, when set, will automatically bring any desired portion of the record track into position for transducing without any further attention on the part of the operator. This automatic action takes place in either forward reeling or a rewind reeling direction and the direction of reeling is automatically determined.

In the form shown, the seventh position of the counting mechanism |39 enables a series of different record tracks to be transduced without rewinding. Inasmuch as there are seven signal elements 32 employed to separate the record track into six record sections and two leader strips t 5 9, 3 l-, the indicator arm |62 will go through seven steps in each transducing sequence.

I'he Stop push button I8 is arranged so that when moved to this inward operated position it latches itself and releases the other push rods promptly stopping a transducing operation. The Stop push button may also be arranged to terminate the high speed reelings as by providing the shaft B2 with switches inserted in the energizing circuit of motors 21, 28.

A knob |92 is shown as mounted on counting shaft |32 for suitable adjustment of the indicator arm position, when necessary.

The control dial arm |82 may also be provided with additional settings shown by the contacts |89, |90 for diierent methods of operation, when desired. In position |89, which may be labelled Rewind, the control arm |82 is arranged to ei'ect rewinding regardless of which of the recording regions are indicated by the counting mechanism |39. One way of doing this is shown in Fig. l in which the rewind contact |89 is merely connected to the contact |8il-I.

rl'he automatic setting |90 is arranged to provide an uninterrupted transducing of the entire record track. In the form of the invention shown, this sequence is automatically forwarded by a rewinding operation. In the position of contact 99, the control arm |82 is removed from the bridge circuit so that after a transducing operation is started by inward actuation of Start push button il', the entire length of record track is transduced without actuating the circuit of solenoids i2i, |22. An automatic rewind unit 29| shown mounted on the counting shaft |92 is provided ior initiating the rewinding after a suitable number of counting impulses. As shown, the arrangement includes a rewind control disc 203 having a contact arm 205 sweeping over a series ci rewind control contacts 29E-I, 20E-2, 296-3, 296-4, 20S-5, 29E-S, 296-1. The relative positioning of the rewind control arm and contacts may be shifted somewhat from the corresponding positions of the arm and contacts of the indicator plate |32 so that in any of the contact positions ol the indicator arm |63 'the rewind control arm 2&5 does not touch any of its contacts, but that during a counting step movement of the rewind control arm 295 to the next step causes it to momentarily engage one of its contacts in passing.

The rewind control disc 293 is shown as connected to the D. C. supply bus by contact brush 268, the series of contacts 20S-I, 29E-2, 20G-3, 209-4, 299-5, 296-6 being connectible for energizing by a rewind network 220.

A single pole multi-position switch 2N has a moving arm 2|2 connected to the rewind initiating lead 2li, and may be moved to connect this lead with any of the six contacts.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the rewind network 226 contains a locking relay 230, an unlocking relay 220, and a rewind relay 250. The locking relay 230 is shown as having two sets of contacts 23| and 232, the unlocking relay one set 212|, and the rewind relay two sets 25|, 252. The rewind initiating lead is shown as supplying the windings of the locking relay 239, the circuit being completed by the ground connections. The contacts 232 are connected in series through contacts in 24| of the unlocking relay 2i and provide a shunt feed from the D. C. bus through the windings of the locking relay 230. The contacts 23| establish a D. C. supply circuit to the windings of rewinding relay 250.

The windings of unlocking relay 229 are arranged for activation through the rewind control disc 203 and the rewind control contact 20G-l. The rewind relay contacts 225-I, 225-2 are connected in circuits establishing a parallel ield If2r2om the D. C. bus through the solenoids In operation, when the control dial |82 is set for automatic operation |99, and the record track has reeled its last signal element past the control guide 33, a counting impulse moves the counting indicator |98 to position it-, simultaneously carrying rewind control arm 205 past the contact 20E-6. This establishes a momentary circuit from the D. C. bus through the windings of the locking relay 230 and closes its normally open contacts. The closing of contacts 232 maintains the energizing current through the windings of relay 23o through the normally closed contacts 2M of relay Zd. The closing of contacts 23|, maintained by the self-locking of relay 23e, establishes an actuating circuit for the windings of rewind relay 250. Relay 25B is accordingly energized and maintained in energized condition.

Rewinding is thereby commenced by the energization of the solenoids |2|, |22 through the rewind relay contacts 2254, E25-2. The successive signal elements 32 of the record track will keep the counting mechanism |30 in step with the rewinding sequence and also carry the rewind control 2i3| along with it. The passage of the last signal sequence 32, indicating the completion of the rewind operation, will bring the rewind control arm 2&5 past the contact 2te-l to momentarily energize the unlocking relay 2138 to open its normally closed contacts 24|. The lock ing relay 23S `is to be unlocked and opens the circuit energizing the rewind relay 25B, permitting the rewind contacts 22e-l, 225-2 to open and stop the rewinding. An `additional brush lead 252 may be provided to insure that rewinding is initiated with the control -dial |82 set to rewind portion |39 even when the counting mechanism is disengaged from the bridge circuit, as for example, when it lis in position [G8-.

The switch 2 I may be set to indicate the number of individual vr-ecor-dings Aon a unitary record track and when proper-ly set will produce an au tomatic reW-inding action after Vthe last individual recording has been transduced. This switch 21% may also be operated to effect a complete rewinding of the record track after any one of the individual recordings has been transduced. For example, if the second of a sequence of six recordings is desired to be transduced after which a complete rewinding of .the record track is to be performed automatically, the switch 2|2 is set at position two and the control dial |32 set at position ISB-2. A threaded record track will then be rapidly reeled to the beginning Vof the second record zone 3I-2 after which operation of the Start push button 'Il will commence the transducing. When the transducing is completed and the signal element transmits the concluding counting impulse to the .counting mech anism |30, the rewind control arm 2te will brush past rits contact 265-2 momentarily actuating the locking relay 235. The relay 236 will then vlock itself into actuated condition to Vestablish a rewind operation as indicatedabove. This rewinding will be completed when the rewind control arm 2&5 establishes `the .circuit .for actuating the unlocking relay .Mil by passage of .the .outermost signal element past the control guide 3,3.

Other features of the .invention will be evident from the above description. Reiinements may be added for providing more ehi-cient operation.

The apparatus may be provided with instructions to rotate the knob |92 counter-clockwise to arrest any undesired rewinding inadvertently initiated.

As another modification, the apparatus may be arranged so that reeling of any kind cannot be maintained unless a record track is threaded in place. This may be provided by a sensing member arranged to be actuated by the record track moving in the threaded path shown and operating a switch interposed in the power line.

Itis evident that the solenoids |42, |44 should be of the A. C. power type if operated in parallel with A. C. reeling motors 21, 28. Also, the relays L the counting impulses.

i2 of the automatic relay control E2G may be connected for operation by the A. C. bus and may also be of the A. C. type.

According to a modication of the invention, the signal elements 32 may be arranged for assuring that the reeling is always controlled to stop with definite relation to the individual signal elements. For example, a reeling control impulse of the type employed for terminating a reeling operation, may be arranged to first reverse the reeling direction lupon initial passage of the controlling signal element, then to terminate reeling when the same signal element is returning in the other direction. This makes it possible to eliminate the over-run usually produced when attempting to stop a high seed reeling operation. Furthermore, the reversal of the reeling direction acts to more rapidly decelerate the original reeling. The switch blade H5 may be arranged so that when retracted from either of its extreme operated positions, it closes a circuit ior eiiecting a reversed reeling. The inter-1 vening reverse establishing contacts may be ar ranged to operate relays that are deactivated by With the above arrange ment, less of the record track need be devoted for merely spacing the individual signal elements and allowing for the over-run produced between the initiation of a counting impulse and the reeling cessation produced by that impulse.

According to a further modification, the signal elements may be supplied in pairs for simultaneous mounting between two adjacent individual recordings and the apparatus may be ar- -1 ranged to initiate a reeling cessation upon the strip |-52 may have its lower surface coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive for simple application, removal, and re-application of the record track -Si, wherever desired. In this manner, only a single signal strip is applied to provide the Y dual control signals described above tor assur- Y ing the cessation ci reeling at a denite and reproducible portion of the record track. For the latter modiiication, the movable blade I5 of switch I3 may be'arranged -to cause capstan engagement and pressure pad application upon the passage of the viirst signal element of the dual signal pair whenthe blade is being returned from either of its extreme positions. This applies considerable irictional drag on the record track movement and its reeling speed is greatly lowered. The passage of the second signal element of the dual pair may be arranged to de-energize the reeling motors so that the reeling, now quite slow, is immediately stopped.

With the latter two modifications, the counting mechanism |35 may be modiiied so as to properly indicate the reeled condition of the record track in conformity with the signal modiiication. According to a further phase of the invention, the signal elements 32 or |-M may be of the electrically non-conductive type. They may be Surround by record track areas that are electrically conductive, as, for example, by using a metallic tape as a re-cord track. The variations in physical characteristics may `be arranged to generate a counting impulse for performing the desired control stops.

The passage of all the counting solenoid operating impulse currents through the signal elements of the tape may be avoided by inserting a suitable amplifier in the impulse output line so that only an exceedingly minute current is required to pass along any portion of the tape and sparking is substantially eliminated. A vacuum tube or other relay arrangement may be used as such an amplifying' device.

According to a different embodiment of the inventionI the signal elements may be arranged to change other physical characteristics of the record track at the desired signal zone. For example, the optical reflectivity or the dielectric constant may be varied by applying signal elements of highly reflective material to a record track of relatively levy1 reflectivity, or vice versa.

A thin metal foil on a black tape, or a black paper strip on a bright tape make suitable constructions.

Variation in the dielectric constant of the record track may be detected by placing one or more electrical conductors adjacent the record track threading path and using the capacitance between the conductors or between one conductor and the record track to control a signal impulse circuit.

In general the record tracks of the invention may have signal elements suitably dimensioned to provide the desired signal pulses. The signal pulse duration should be sufficient, considering the actuating requirements of the counting solenoids to provide sharp and prompt action. For example, signal element lengths of the order of half a foot or more are suitable for providing the desired action under extremely high speed reeling conditions. Shorter lengths are satisfactory, however, especially where the fastest reeling speeds are not desired.

Fig. 4 is a simplified diagrammatic view 0f a streamlined embodiment of the invention. The essential features of the automatic selector are incorporated in this embodiment in a manner similar to that shown in the construction of Fig. i. A magnetic record track 3i is shown as arranged to be moved in a forward direction and woimd on take-up reel 2! as it is unwound from supply reel 2li. These reels may be identical with those shown in Fig. 1, but are here illustrated as driven by a single motor 4 25 which supplies all the necessary record track impelling functions.

In the form shown, the reels are held on dished tables 5-28 supported by reel drive shafts f-Iii, 4-32 for the respective supply and take-up reels.

' The shafts are each journaled in bearing members l-Bl in which they are also vertically slidn able. The bearing members lmay be securely held on a supporting wall, portions of Which are shown at and also rotatably receive pulleys 4-38, 4-40. The reel tables 6 28 are arranged to be biased toward the surface of the respective pulleys @-38, lias by their own weight and an interposed friction member, such as a. disc il-i2 of felt or similar material establishes a friction clutch drive between the respective pulleys 4-38, 4-40 and the supply and take-up reels 2i), 2l through the reel tables.

The reel tables are normally positioned in the frictionally engaged position shown in Fig. 4, but the frictional engagement to either reel may be broken by lifting the corresponding reel shaft 6 30, il-32, thereby permitting the other frictionally engaged pulley to impel the record track in the desired direction.

The impelling motor 4 26 is shown as arranged to simultaneously drive both pulleys 4-38, 4 40 in opposite direction so that the movement of the record track in either forward or rewind direction may be easily obtained with an impelling motor rotating in only one direction by disengagement of the friction clutch drive to either reel. In the form described, the impelling motor lli-26 has a shaft l-M on which are mounted two reel driving pulleys d-fl, d-fi8. A single drive belt 6-59 is looped around the two reel pulleys 448, and at an intermediate region it is twisted to provide a crossover so that impelling of the belt in one direction will simultaneously rotate in oppo site directions the reel pulleys 4-38, Q-ll. The motor shaft pulleys 4-43, Q-3 which may be placed closely adjacent each other are arranged to respectively engage opposing arms of the drive belt 4-5 as by so mounting the motor l26 that the motor pulleys A-GS, ii-i are wedged in a loop of the drive belt adjacent the crossover point. Each of the opposing arms of this loop of the belt are thereby urged into contact with the dinerent motor pulleys spaced to allow ior the spacing'of the belt arms by the crossover twist.

For operation of the reel friction drives there is shown a selective reel shaft lifting arrangement including shaft sockets 11i-52 and slide bars L54-, rl-. The slide bars d-Et, 4-55 are guided by slide guides L53 and are provided with pockets 4-60, 5 52 respectively for receiving shaft sockets L52 which may be made of spring material biased downwardly toward the pockets as shown. The slide bars are also shown as biased toward the outer clutch engaged positions by the bias springs -t. Stops ill-a5 may be adjusted for limiting the outward travel of the slide bar to assure that when not operated the shaft sockets @-52 are received in pockets fi-E, @-62 and the downward reel shaft bias establishes friction contact between the reel table and pulley.

Inward movement of either of the slide bars is accordingly arranged-to ieX the shaft sockets L52 upwardly from their respective pockets 4-60, 4 52 to cause elevation of the corresponding reel shaft fis-3G, 4-32 and disengagement of the associated reel table -28 from contact with the reel pulley. 4

The record track 3l moves in a reeling guide path between the supply reel 2i) and take-up reel 2l. The guide path is defined by guide surfaces, such as the rollers L68, sensing member @-33, magnetic erasing core 4l, magnetic transducing core 63 and capstan drive 4-39. The sensing member @-33 may be in the form of a roller having a spaced pair of contact rings 4-35 against which are held contact brushes 4-31.

The erasing and transducing cores 4|, 43 may be of any suitable type, such as those shown above and may also be provided with pressing rollers 1%-49 pivotally held on arms 5I and operated in a manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1.

The capstan drive 4-39 is shown in this form of the invention as including a thin roller 4-10 rotatably mounted against a backing support 5 12 and driven by the impelling motor 4-26 as by a belt and pulley arrangement or by merely forming it as an extension of the motor shaft. The capstan roller d-'i is provided with a flywheel !i-'M for supplying suitable rotational inertia. The record track 3l may be freely moved over the surface of the capstan roller 4-10 Withassises out developing enough frictional driving contact with the capstan roller to appreciably affect the record track movement. However, a pinch roller 4-16 rotatably mounted on a pivot arm #l-Sl is arranged to press the record track against the capstan shaft t-lii as by retraction of the capstan control link 4-13. When so pressed against the capstan roller fi-l, the record track 3l is held in stable and iirm frictional contact and its movement is controlled by the rate of rotation and the capstan roller. With the arrangement described, the capstan drive may be easily applied or disconnected as desired. The capstan drive arangernent shown forms no part of the present invention and is more completely described in the copending Williams application, Serial No. 732,970, led March 7, 1947, now Patent No. 2,493,632, issued January 3, 1950.

By merely disengaging the friction driving con nection from one of the reel pulleys 4 38, i-td, the belt li-li will be caused to remain in frictional driving contact with a selected reel for winding the record track 3| in the desired direction. In operation, the reel driving motor tlf-2e impels the selected reel directly through belt L58 and with the capstan drive disengaged, rotates the reel fast enough to wind-up the record track 3| at a speed greatly in excess of that used for recording or playback, in a manner similar to that shown in connection with the construction c of Fig. l. When the capstan drive is engaged as by retraction of the capstan control linkage 4-13, the relatively thin capstan roller il-'iii will impel the record track through a small driving radius and hence with a much greater mechanical advantage than is possible through the forward impelling reel shaft pulley -l. The movement of the record track will accordingly be controlled primarily by the capstan drive, the direct reel drive functioning merely to take-up any slack between the capstan and the take-up reel 2 l. The low torque driving engagement with the record track through take-up reel pulley 4-453 and takeup reel 2i lwill slip at the friction engagement with friction pad 4-d2 and/or at the belt A-Eii! permitting high quality constant speed record track reeling.

Operation of the apparatus of Fig. e is shown as controlled from a bank of push button switches 4-15 which may be arranged as shown to include a set of iive interlocked switches of the push button type lil-16 to fil-8o, bearing a suitable legend for indicating the function controlled. Actuating power may be supplied from conventional sources, such as the commercial 60 cycle A. C. electric power lines through plug m3 and On-Oif switch lill?. Push button ll-'iii which carries the legend Forward includes extensions arranged for operating automatic selector switch 4-8! as well as a pair of reeling control levers A-S, ii-83. Push button ll-'i is shown as interlocked with the other push button through latch cam :li-87 and sliding latch plate 4-84 biased toward latching engagement as by a spring li-il. Retracting spring 4-85 and stop d-i control the push button movement in the housing of the push button bank.

Forward push button fi-'ld is shown in Fig. 4 in the outward non-operated position from which it can be readily pushed inward manually to its operated position in which it is held by a wall 4-96 bounding a cam receiving opening 4-91 of the latch plate, as shown, for example, by the push button 4-8u. When inwardly operated the Forward push button opens the selector control switch d-BI, applied the capstan engagement by operation of control lever 4-83 and completes a forward transducing control by operating control lever iii-62. A link 4-55 connected to the forward control lever lll-82 rotates a pivotally mounted clutch operator ti-SS, an arm of which engages pin l-tt on supply reel slide bar ri-Efl -disengaging the supply reel clutch and closing reeling switch 4 83 in the energizing circuit of reeling motor lli-26. The record track is accordingly impelled in forward direction at the transducing speed determined by the capstan rod i-QS). At the same time, additional .links 4-39 cause the forward control lever 4-82 to bring the pressing members 4-49 in pressing engagement with the pole face portion of magnetic cores i i, 53 to hold the record track stable in magnetic linkage therewith.

The inward operation of the Forward push button l-'lE also causes its cam f-l-S'I to momentarily slide latch plate #Se to the right unlocking any of the other push buttons that may have been latched in inwardly operated position.

Operation of push button d-l'ii which bears the legend Rewind similarly unlocks and permits retraction of any other push buttons and, in addition, opens another automatic selector control switch ri-Sii and operates rewind control lever fl-Qd Link 59 connected between the rewind control lever l-Q and take-up reel clutch lever l-Ei initiates a rewinding through a pin 4-5'! on slide bar 4 5@ and an additional motor energizing switch ii-te in parallel with the other motor energizing switch in a manner similar to the forward reeling. Push button edit, which may bear the legend Stop, is shown in the inwardly operated position, and is also interlinked with the push 4button assembly to cause the retraction of any other inwardly latched push buttons and to also open a third automatic selector control switch `13-32. The retraction of any inwardly latched reeling control push buttons releases the slide bars d-ild, i-tt so that they are retracted to the biased position shown permitting the motor energizing switches 4-88 to open and at the same time causing frictional engagement of both supply and take-'up reel rotation and record track movement.

The push button li-li which is labelled Record may merely be arranged to switch the amplier assembly associated with the magnetic transducer 'from a playback to a record connection as by associated switches when the button is moved from the retracted position shown to the inwardly operated position. This is a safety feature which prevents inadvertent recording of one program over another since recordings cannot be effected unless both the Forward and Record push buttons dit, 'l-l are moved to the inwardly operated position at the same time. Any discrepancy in the simultaneous manipulation of the Forward and Record push buttons as, for example, when the Record push button is accidentally operated while the apparatus is in forward reeling operation, will cause the later operated push button to unlatch and permit release of the earlier operated push buttons so that recording is impossible.

The push button ll-i which is labelled Select is shown as similar to the other push buttons, containing retracting spring 4 35 and stop i-tg. lts cam, however, is arranged for unlocking the latch plate ill-et, but does not itself become latched in inwardly operated position. As shown, cam 4-93 is prolonged outwardly so that in its innermost operating position it does not penetrate the corresponding latch plate opening 4-91 sufficiently to be held by the latch wall 4-96. By unlatching the other push button controls, Select push button 4-'11 permits the three selector control switches 4-81, 4-89, 4-9'2, connected in series, to be simultaneously closed, completing the supply path from the On-Oi switch 164 through rectifier 111 to the automatic selector assembly 4-53.

The automatic number selector 4-63 is a simpliiied embodiment of the invention including a counting unit 4-65, a manual selector 4-61, counting ratchets 134, 13B and counting solenoids 142 and 144. As described above in connection with Fig. 1, the counting indicator 4-55 comprises a plate 139 carrying a set of contacts 168-0, 168-1, 168-2, 168-3, 168-4, 168-5, 158-90 and a rotatable indicator 'dial 138, an arm of which is arranged to engage the contacts as it is rotated. A crank 165 is fixed on shaft 132 which carries the counting rachets |34, 135 and a' pair of pins 162, 164 are xed on the indicator dial |38 so that as either of the ratchets is advanced by itsv associated counting solenoids 142, 144 it rotates the indicator dial by a corresponding step and a one step lag is injected at every reeling reversal.

As shown, the counting solenoids have their windings connected through forward counting switch 4-69 and rewind counting switch 4-'11 with the power source, the circuit being completed through the brush contacts 4-3'1 of the sensing member 4-33. Upon the passage of a conductive signal element 32 on record track 3! similar to those described in connection with Figs. 2 and 3, for example, along the reeling guide path, it momentarily closes the circuit between the contact rings 4-35 of the sensing member and one of the counting solenoids 142, 144 depending upon which of the counting switches d-BS, 4-11 is closed by one of the slide bars 4-54, 4-56 in the corresponding clutch disengaging position. The momentarily actuated solenoid winding causes projection of its armature toward the corresponding counting ratchet followed by retraction of the armature, the toothed end of which advances the ratchet one step.

A restrainer in the form of a gear 140 and resiliently held meshing tooth I5!! may be provided for assuring that the indicator arm is securely held against inadvertent and improper rotation. A manual control knob 182 permits proper setting of the indicator dial when necessary. j

A series of resistors 114 is connected between adjacent contacts S-i3, 158-1, 168-5, and 168-80, to operate as arms of a self-balancing resistance bridge in conjunction with the manual selector 4-E'l which contains a similar set of contacts IBD-1, IBG-2, 18111-3, 1851-4, 18S-5, and 18S-00 also spaced by resistance steps. An additional resistor step 2-'14 is inserted in the resistor chain of selector 4-51 and both chains are connected in parallel and are shown as fed by the D. C. output of rectifier 111, the circuit connections being completed by the ground connections shown. The Variable arms of the resistance bridge formed by the rotatable dials 138 and 4-5'1 supply energy through contact arms 184, 18S, respectively, to the polarized control solenoid 121 linked to both friction drive slide bars 4-54, 4-55 in the manner shown.

The polarized solenoid 121 is so arranged that any imbalance between the positions of the automatic counting indicator 4-65 and the manually set selector 4-6'1 feeds the solenoid windings with an electrical current of such polarity as to attract the solenoid armature in a direction which pulls the proper drive disengaging slide bar 4-54, 4-56 and initiates a reeling operation for correcting the unbalanced condition.

Accordingly, with an elongated record track containing ve different recordings spaced along its length and separated by signal elements removably adhered, if it is desired to play back the fifth recording, it is merely necessary to mount the record track on supply reel 211, thread the track along the guide path, as shown, and place the manual selector in position ve in engagement with contact 1813-5. Upon closing the On-Off switch 1114, and operationkof the Select push button 4-11, the counting indicator being in a position shown, the resistance bridge will be unbalanced and the polarized solenoid 121 will pull the supply reel slide ba'r 4-54 to the right disengaging the drive connection to the supply reel, energizing the reeling motor 4-26 and closing the forward counting switch 4-69. Forward reeling of the record track is accordingly initiated and inasmuch as the capstan drive 4-39 and the pressing members 4-49 are not operated the forward reeling takes place at a relatively high speed. As each identifying removably adherent signal element on the record track moves past the sensing member 4-33, the Forward counting solenoid 142 is momentarily operated keeping the indicator dial 138 in step with the recorded sections of the record track. When the fifth section of the record track is reached, indicator arm 138 is brought into engagement with contact 158-5 balancing the bridge and de-energizing the polarized solenoid 121. The retracted slide bar 4-54 is thereby released, opening'the energizing circuit for the impelling motor 4-26 and frictionally connecting the supply reel 2|] to the belt 4-50, causing a considerable brake to be applied to the tensioned record track 3| and promptly stopping the fast forward reeling.

The apparatus is now ready and actuation of Forward push button 4-'18 will initiate the desired playback operation. The entire automatic selection operation takes only a short time and requires no attention. Similar automatic selec-v tion takes place with any other setting of the manual selector 4-6'1 and with any other starting positions of the record track.

Contact ISB-iii) on the selector mechanism enables a complete automatic forward reeling of the record track if it is desired to rewind the record track or to mount itall on the-take-up reel after a number has been transduced for example. L.

The reversing lag injected by the injector crank 16% and spaced pins 162, i511 assures the proper balancing and termination of an automatic selection step involving and rewinding only after the record track is brought to the beginning of the selected portion of the track. For example, the fth number has been completely transduced the sixth signal element will be reeled through and the dial 138 will be at contact 16S-9i). If the automatic selector is now again set at the fifth number at contact 1811-5 and energized, rewinding will commence and the sixth signal element will be immediately reeled back past the sensing member producing a counting pulse in the rewind solenoid 144. The crank lag permits the indicator dial to remain stationary during this counting pulse and to be moved by the fifth signal indicator to balancing 19 position adjacent the beginning of the nith record track section'. In the absence oi' the crank legv the balancing wouldl take' place upon passagev of' thexsixth sensing element at the end .oithe fifth record track section.

The self-balancing bridge networks described infthe above forms of the invention are only one of a number of types of similar arrangements that mayl be used. Thus',I tor example, instead of usi-ng the current through the. resistor chains for directly actuating the reeling operations, an amplifying arrangement such as the vacuum tube balancing system shown in U. S. iatent No. A.1,960,350 may be substituted. Furthermore, the bridge may be operated by unrectied alternati-ng current. supplied directly from the' power 4sou-ree. In this case the amplier may be suitably' modied for proper operation as by using vacuum tubes having their Y,plates fed by the same A. C. power to determine; whether 'the di-ierential A. C. signal input from the bridge .taps tends tomakethevacuum tube input grid morepositive. or morev negative than the cathode .du-ring a positive Vplate supply half cycle, and therefore. whether theV tap on one bridge chain is ata higher or lower A. C. potential than the tap of the other chain.

VAccording to a further form. ot the invention, the -signal-element-containing magnetic record track transducenas described above in connection with Figs. l to 3, is combined with a slide viewing apparatus and arranged. so that each time -a signal element moves across a sensing portion of the record track guide path the slide viewing apparatus is caused to advance one step and project the next slide of a sequence.

Fig. 5v shows one example of this form of the invention. As here shown, the magnetic transducer 548 which may be of the type shown in Fig. 4 is combined with .a film projector 5 2@ in which a roll of film E-ZZ may be placed in a holder 5-24i-and intermittently advanced through a film gate assembly E-Z. The lm is shown as fed by a rotatable sprocket 5-30 having teeth 5-32. which engage in sprocket holes in the ihn margin and pull the film through the gate so that the individual picture frames positioned in path of the projecting light beam are advanced by one step. As the iilm emerges from the gate it moves into a curved holder 5-34 where it autematically coils itself up and from which it is readilyv removed. The lens system in the lens holder 5-3 cooperates with projection light to provide the desired image.

Advancing of the lm is, in the form shown, automatically arranged by mounting a ratchet gear -l on the sprocket 5-3@ and pivotally holding a pawl arm 5-2 carrying a pawlY a pin 54$ biased toward engagement with the ratchet teeth of ratchet gear e-i. The pawl arm is connected for operation from the magnetic record transducer e-ii as by the electrical cable 5-43 which may have a plug 5 5@ for tting into a suitable jack on the body of the record transducer. The other end of the cable ii-t is connected to an advancing solenoid -tt, the armature of which is biased to the outer position as shown at 5-52 and is linked to the pawl arm for operation of the film feed. The current supplied to the windings of the advancing soienoid may be the amplified or unamplied signal impulses passed by the individual signal eilments on the record track as they move past the sensing member. .Provisionmay be made for stopping the magnetic record transducing action-.in the event of theimproper-operation ofthe iilm project-er. For example, the counting impulses may be arranged to open the transducer reeling supply circuits as by means of a relay, and a sensing circuit connected to the projector may be arranged to close the reeling supply circuits as by anotherv relay when a nlm advancingV step isA successfully completed. The sensing circuit may be conveniently provided with contacts which are closed by engagement with the solenoid armaturey when it reaches itsv ful-ly operated position. Alternatively, the projector may have an additional sprocket engaging the nlm above the nlm gate and momentarily closing a sensing circuit each time the sprocketis rotated by a nlm advancing step. Anyl slight: pause. in the magnetic record 'transducer operation injected. by the intercontrolarrangement willY not be objectionableinasmuchas it isv advisable to haven@ signalorsilent zones immediately following the nlm advancing step. The presence. of the silent zones maybe `assured by placing the signal elementsv on the magnetizable stratum of the record trackso that it separates the stratum from the magnetic transducing head. The signal elements may in.- clude a layer of highly permeable magnetic material, such as a soft iron ribbon, to effectively shield. the covered permanently magnetizable record track portion from the head.

As another modification of the invention, the ilm projector is ofY the double projectiontype in which two projection apertures are alternately operated and the individual nlm frames advanced between projections so that the projected pictures change sharply instead oi gradually with the accompanying optical annoyance of seeing the projected pictures move across-the screen. This type of projector, as'shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,395,883, for example, may be arranged for operation by the magnetic transducer iny the manner described above in connection with Fig; 5.

With the coordinated sound reproducer and picture projector of the invention it is for the rst time possibley to simply and convenientlyl prepare illustrated lecturesor similar programs. It is only necessary to examine the subject matter of the nlm frames, operate the magnetic record transducer for recording and read the comment on the individual frames: intothe recorder microphone., After the comment of each frame a readily attachable and detachable sig nal element of the invention is suitably applied to the record track and thecommentfon thenext 'frame begun'.`

'Ehe convenience. of the magnetic recording techniquey is heightened byl the ease. with which the' signal elements may be applied, adjusted. or removed. The record track of the invention may be played back thousands of times and may be re-used for diierent lms by merely makingL a different recording and adjusting thev positions of the signal elements to suit. f

The magnetic record tracks of the invention may be of the tape or iilamentary form as described above orv maybe of the extendedsurface type. In one form of these extended surface types a large loop of plastic sheet record material encircles and is guided over a generally smaller impelling roller having its axis horizontal so that most of the loop hangs down freely. A pinch roller may be mounted to hold a. portion of'the roller-contacting loop in iirm driving engagement with the roller to revolve the loop.

The plastic sheet may be provided with grooves to guide a magnetic transducing head along the record track path of the loop, as by fixing a stylus to the head placed above the roller and fitting the stylus into a groove.

The signal elements of the invention may be readily applied to and removed from the extended surface of the sheet and the guide grooves used as locating and reference marks. The permanently magnetizable material may be incorporated 1in the sheet in accordance with the teachings of the copending Kornei applications: Serial No. 685,092, filed July 20, 1946, now abandoned; Serial No. 685,093, led July 20, 194,6, now abandoned; Serial No. 762,454, filed July 21, 1947, now abandoned; Serial No. 762,463, filed July 21, 1947, now Patent No. 2,547,948, issued April 10, 1951.

Other extended surface record members, such as the wide ribbon with multiple recording lanes or the discs described in the copending Williams application, Serial No. 753,159, filed June 7, 1947, now Patent No. 2,567,092, issued September 4, 1951, also functions remarkably well with the detachable signal elements.

The expression magnetic record transducing as used herein in the specification and claims is intended to mean either the operation of magnetically recording signals on a magnetic recording medium, or the operation of reproducing magnetically recorded signals, or the operation of erasing magnetically recorded signals, or any combination of two or more of these operations.

The principles of the invention explained in connection with specic exemplifications thereof will suggest to those skilled in the art many other applications and modifications of the same. It is accordingly desired that the appended claims be construed broadly and that they shall not be limited to the specic details shown and described in connection with exemplications thereof.

I claim:

1. In a magnetic transducer device for transducing signals on an elongated permanently magnetizable record track by magnetic fiux linkage of successive elements of the record track as they move past a magnetic transducer head, the combination of guiding and impelling means for guiding and impelling the elongated record track in a guide path past the magnetic transducer head at two different speeds, a plurality of signal means whose electrical conductivity differs from the electrical conductivity of said record track aiixed to said record track at spaced apart intervals; sensing means in said guide path responsive to the electrical conductivity of said signal means as they move past and engage said sensing means; and control means including an adjustable counter for counting the number of said signal means passing said sensing means and for controlling the impelling means in accordance therewith to change the speed of said 22 record member from one of said two speeds to the other.

2. In a magnetic record transducer apparatus for transducing signals on an elongated permanently magnetizable record track by magnetic flux linkage of successive elements of the record track as they move past magnetic transducing structure, the combination of: guiding and impelling means for guiding and impelling the elongated record track in a guide path selectively forward or reverse past the magnetic transducing structure at two speeds the lower of which is used during transducing operations and the higher of which is used during location of a section of said record track; a plurality of adherent signal elements affixed to selected portions of the record track and having physica1 characteristics different from the record track; a sensing structure in the said guide path responsive to the physical characteristics of the said signal elements as they move past the sensing structure in the guide path; automatic control means connected to said sensing structure and connected to said impelling means and including manually adjustable selector mechanism with which the desired region of the record track is selected to automatically iimpel said record track in the proper forward and reverse direction which brings the selected region of the record track into position for transducing.

OTTO KORNEI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

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